In the United Kingdom, the rules for starting horse races have been amended. The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) announced it will conduct a fourth survey among trainers and stable staff at racetracks to identify ambiguous issues in the industry. Based on the results of previous studies, the BHA approved changes to the starting rules for races.
Starting January 1, 2024, requests for late loading of a horse into the starting stalls will only be approved if the animal has shown behavioral problems during training or a previous race in the United Kingdom. Horses making their debut will lose the right to this provision. For newcomers to racing, pre-race tests will be conducted to identify behavioral problems before the official start of the competition.
The rules for calming a horse will also change: a trainer will be able to hold the horse by the ear to calm it, including if it starts to kick or act up. Previously, this technique was discouraged and considered harmful to the horse's health.
